Senior Director, Business Development - Space & Defense

Location:  Primarily DC Area  
Security Clearance:  U.S. Citizen with active or prior Top Secret/SCI clearance (or eligible)

Position Summary 

NorthStar is seeking an experienced senior Business Development executive to lead the commercialization of advanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) services for U.S. Government customers, with a primary focus on the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. This role is mission-critical for driving NorthStar’s growth in the defense sector, shaping product strategy, and building trusted partnerships across the national security community. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop and execute commercialization strategies for SSA and SDA, targeting high-value government contracts. 

• Lead pipeline growth and capture management for multi-domain operations, with full accountability for new business awards and strategic market penetration. 

• Engage DoD and Intelligence Community stakeholders to identify mission requirements, influence acquisition strategies, and optimize product-market fit. 

• Direct cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, finance, legal) to develop winning proposals and deliver innovative solutions. 

• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers, end-users, and contracting officers to align solutions with mission needs. 

• Represent NorthStar at industry events, government forums, and defense innovation engagements. 

• Analyze industry trends, competitor activities, and customer needs to inform strategic planning and pipeline prioritization. 

• Champion technology investments and advocate for Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funding to deliver cutting-edge solutions for emerging customer needs. 

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures during the capture process. 

Required Qualifications 

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the U.S. space industry, including executive-level leadership in business development and capture management. 

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience (min 10 years) with satellite systems and services within the US government and military markets  

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with SSA and SDA concepts and market drivers 

• Proven track record of securing competitive contract awards valued at $50M+ in DoD, Intelligence Community, or National Security Space programs. 

• Deep understanding of DoD acquisition processes, federal procurement lifecycle, and government contracting vehicles (FFP, IDIQ, T&M). 

• U.S. citizenship with active or previous Top Secret/SCI clearance; DC, VA area resident or willingness to relocate 

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Astronomy, Orbit Dynamics, Business, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. 

• Experience leading and mentoring teams of business development and capture professionals in high-security environments. 

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced certifications in business development or capture management (e.g., Shipley, APMP). 

• Established network and excellent reputation within the DoD, Intelligence Community, and National Security Space ecosystem. 

• Experience with allied military branches or international defense organizations. 

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with executives, decision-makers, and industry partners. 

• Experience with strategic planning, profit and loss (P&L) responsibility, and investment planning. 

Compensation & Benefits 

NorthStar offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, performance incentives, comprehensive health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development. Salary range and benefits are commensurate with experience and market standards. 

About NorthStar 

NorthStar is a global leader in space-based data and analytics, specializing in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for government and commercial clients. NorthStar Earth and Space Systems Inc. operates its government business from the DC Area with its parent company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and a fully European enterprise in Luxembourg, in addition to satellite offices in Wellington, New Zealand. With a truly global footprint, NorthStar delivers first-in-class space surveillance capabilities, validated by leading defense agencies such as DARPA, and directly supporting the security, resilience, and sustainability objectives of NATO, the US, Canada, the EU, and allied partners. 

NorthStar’s constellation leverages advanced wide-field-of-view (WFOV) sensors and automated data processing pipelines to deliver real-time, actionable intelligence for space safety and national security. Our solutions empower defense organizations and mission partners to navigate the rapidly evolving space domain, harnessing big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based edge computing to optimize operational decision-making and safeguard critical assets against emerging threats. 

With a team of over 70 highly skilled professionals, NorthStar is committed to innovation, sovereignty, and the responsible stewardship of space. Our mission is to ensure the safety, sustainability, and resilience of space operations—protecting national interests and supporting global security in an increasingly contested and complex environment. 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

NorthStar is an equal opportunity employer.  We provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and do not and will not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of any category protected under local, state or federal law.